Food stamp benefits cost a record $71.81 billion in the 2011 fiscal year, up 43 percent from two years before, according to the USDA. (To put things in perspective, that's roughly one-tenth of federal defense spending in 2011.)

Obama at least can take credit for overseeing slower growth in food stamp use, which spiked 23 percent during his first year in office, according to the USDA. In contrast, between June of last year and June of this year, food stamp use grew only 3 percent.

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Best Paying Jobs Of The Future

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Percent increase: 33.1 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 11,300
Median income: $94,990
States with the most jobs per capita: Hawaii, North Dakota, Montana
Optometrists specialize in the care of eyes and vision. Their responsibilities include diagnosing eye injuries and diseases, as well as prescribing glasses and contact lenses. In order to practice, they are required to have a Doctor of Optometry degree, presently awarded by just 20 accredited programs, and must be licensed by the National Boards in Optometry. Those who meet these qualifications are often extremely well-compensated: the top 10% of optometrists earned in excess of $166,400. With vision problems becoming more frequent as people grow older, the number of optometrists is expected to rise by 33.1% between 2010 and 2020.
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Percent increase: 33.5 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 36,400
Median income: $72,320
States with the most jobs per capita: Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
"Occupational therapists treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working," according to the BLS. Becoming an occupational therapist requires a master's degree, which generally takes two years to complete. The number of occupational therapists is expected to reach 145,200 by 2020, as an aging baby-boomer generation looks to maintain its independence and stay active.
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Percent increase: 35.9 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 22,000
Median income: $82,040
States with the most jobs per capita: Montana, Colorado, Iowa
"Occupational therapists treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. They help patients develop, recover, and improve the skills needed for daily living and working," according to the BLS. Becoming an occupational therapist requires a master's degree, which generally takes two years to complete. The number of occupational therapists is expected to reach 145,200 by 2020, as an aging baby-boomer generation looks to maintain its independence and stay active.
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Percent increase: 36.4 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 36,400
Median income: $76,700
States with the most jobs per capita: Massachusetts, California, Washington
Though the roles of medical scientists vary from job to job, all study biological systems to understand their effects on human health. Medical scientists often work for the federal government, at research universities or in the private sector. By 2020, the number of medical scientists is projected to increase to more than 136,000, as the population of the United States grows and ages and the demand for prescription drugs rises. Educational requirements are quite high, with most positions asking for either a doctorate or a medical degree. The annual pay of the top 10% of medical scientists was $142,800.
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Percent increase: 36.8 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 4,800
Median income: $66,660
States with the most jobs per capita: New Mexico, Colorado, West Virginia
Audiologists treat patients who have problems with their hearing, balance or ears. A doctoral degree is necessary, as is a state license, though exact requirements differ by state. Explaining projected job growth, the BLS notes that "hearing loss increases as people age, so an aging population is likely to increase demand for audiologists." There are not very many audiologists, and a projected 36.8 percent increase in jobs would bring the total number of audiologists to 17,800 by the end of the decade. Annual salaries exceeded $102,210 for the top 10 percent of audiologists.
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Percent increase: 37.7 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 68,500
Median income: $68,250
States with the most jobs per capita: Michigan, Utah, Idaho
From 2010 to 2020, the number of dental hygienists is projected to rise by 37.7 percent to more than 250,000. Factors driving increased demand for this occupation include ongoing research linking oral health to general health, as well as an aging population keeping more of its teeth. Dental hygienists typically do not need a professional degree or previous work experience, though they often need an associate's degree and a license. Typical job responsibilities include cleaning teeth and taking dental X-rays.
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Percent increase: 39.0 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 77,400
Median income: $76,310
States with the most jobs per capita: Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine
Physical therapists assist patients by helping to address and correct dysfunctional movement and pain. They are required to have a postgraduate professional degree, typically a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and a license. Those completing these prerequisites join one of the fastest-growing professions in the country -- by 2020, the number of positions is expected to rise by 39 percent. The BLS states that "demand for physical therapy services will come, in large part, from the aging baby boomers, who are staying active later in life than previous generations did." The top 10 percent of physical therapists earned more than $107,920.
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Percent increase: 41.2 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 116,600
Median income: $60,570
States with the most jobs per capita: Delaware, Massachusetts, New York
Market research analysts work in most industries, monitoring and forecasting marketing and sales trends, as well as collecting and analyzing data on their companies' products or services. To become a market research analyst, a bachelor's degree is typically required, though many analysts have a master's degree. Citing increases in the use of market research across all industries, the BLS projects the number of positions in the field will rise to almost 400,000 by 2020. Top-earning market research analysts made more than $111,440 annually.
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Percent increase: 43.5 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 23,400
Median income: $64,380
States with the most jobs per capita: Rhode Island, Florida, South Dakota
Diagnostic medical sonographers work in hospitals and other facilities, conducting ultrasounds on patients and analyzing the resulting images. The BLS projects an increase of 43.5 percent in the number of positions between 2010 and 2020, which would raise the total number of such jobs to 77,100. Explaining the driving factors behind the growth, the BLS states that "as ultrasound technology evolves, it will be used as a substitute for procedures that are costly, invasive or expose patients to radiation." Sonographers typically need an associate's degree, and many employers prefer candidates to have professional certification. The top 10 percent of sonographers made more than $88,490 annually
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Percent increase: 61.7 percent
Total new jobs (2010-2020): 9,700
Median income: $81,540
States with the most jobs per capita: Massachusetts, Utah, Minnesota
The work of biomedical engineers typically involves designing or maintaining biomedical equipment, such as artificial organs and X-ray machines. These jobs often require a great deal of technical knowledge in fields such as biology, engineering, math and chemistry. Because of this, a bachelor's degree is typically needed. The professional requirements come with impressive compensation. The median income for such jobs was $81,540 and the top 10 percent earned more than $126,990. Between 2010 and 2020, the number of biomedical engineers is projected to rise by 61.7 percent, more than four times the projected growth rate for all jobs, which is 14 percent. To explain its growth projections for the profession, the BLS cites the baby boomer generation's growing demand for biomedical devices and procedures as it "seeks to maintain its healthy and active lifestyle."
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